Rev. Ken Peterkin served three prior churches and came to EUCC from The First Congregational Church UCC in Essex, Conn., where he served more than 17 years. He navigated that church through replacing a slate roof, installing solar, refurbishing their sanctuary and parlor, moving with them through Open and Affirming and beyond, and is most proud of his accomplishment of turning the hearts and minds of the members from always looking inward at themselves, to caring for the self and becoming the premier church at feeding area people in need throughout the year.

He met his wife, the Rev. Suzanne Personette at seminary – The Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, Calif. They married in 1995 and Rev. Ken was then ordained in 1998. Revs. Ken and Suzanne have a son Abraham, who recently graduated from Bryant University in Rhode Island with a degree in Digital Marketing.

Rev. Ken is the chief cook and bottle washer at home and does not apologize for being an alumnus and fan of Ohio State! He does have an open mind however and will enjoy cheering for your team (only not when they play OSU!). Rev. Ken would like to golf more but is occasionally hobbled by some arthritis in his knees and a tricky disc in his back.

“Life is not easy, and my hope is to acknowledge the struggle in everyone to maintain a healthy self-image and healthy habits. To do that I believe God loves everyone the same and wants me and those who I guide to support, affirm, and include all people within God’s realm. This is one of the 'not easy' parts of life – not dismissing or demeaning others. I pray that we at Emmanuel, including myself, will employ a renewed sense of patience and intentional effort to peer into the eyes of every person and remember that we all were once defenseless infants in need of others. Perhaps with such a thought, we can once again see with delight the beauty and tenderness needed by one and all.”